A Swing & a Miss with Lilac Blossom

Philosophy Lilac Blossom 3-in-1 Shower Gel ($16.00 for 16 fl. oz.) showed up as new, exclusive, and limited edition when I was casually (err, stalking) Sephora’s site, and so it somehow managed to leap into my basket…

Philosophy describes the scent as:

inspired by the alluring essence of lilac blossoms, this shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath embodies beauty and enchantment. the extra rich and creamy formula provides a moisturizing lather that caresses your body as it gently cleanses and softens skin and hair. the sweet floral, alluring scent of lilac blossoms captivates the senses for a charming, mesmerizing experience that makes a lasting impression.

The bottle is so prettily packaged, and I love how the gel itself is a thick, luxurious lilac purple, but the problem with this particular scent is exactly that–the scent. It doesn’t smell like lilac at all; there’s not even a hint of lilac in it. Instead, it’s a soft, slightly sweetened floral concoction that’s not at all displeasing, but it’s also not the “scent of lilac blossoms” as described. It is also notably subtle when Philosophy scents usually burst in the shower with their fragrance.

my thoughts on the formula: They lather up well and leave skin feeling clean without any tightness or dryness. If you prefer your body wash to leave behind a long-lasting scent, these won’t be for you, but if you like to enjoy the scent while you shower but don’t want it to linger heavily beyond, then these are perfect. (I belong to the latter category!) I don’t find them to lather quite as well in the hair, and they work in a pinch to clean hair, but I prefer many other shampoos over this one. It does, however, work well as a bubble bath, too–a little goes a long way.

final thoughts: Even though the formula itself performs as well as other Philosophy scents, the fact that the scent itself really misses the mark is a downside. Again, I think the scent is pleasant in a generic, floral scent kind of way, but if you’re looking for lilac blossom you won’t find it in this bottle.